New FDs at Cattles and LSL

CATTLES has named Paul Felton-Smith as its new finance director.

Mr Felton-Smith, who will join the Batley-based sub-prime lender on June 7, will replace James Smith, who was brought into Cattles in April 2009 to produce its delayed 2008 annual report and financial statements as interim finance director.

Margaret Young, chairman of Cattles, said: “The board would like to place on record its thanks for Jamie’s enormous contribution over the last year. 

“He joined us at a particularly challenging time and over the last year has made a substantial contribution to dealing with the wide range of issues faced by Cattles, including the recent finalisation of the 2008 accounts.

“We are delighted to have found such an able and experienced successor for the finance director role and look forward to working with Paul Felton-Smith.”

Mr Smith will resign as a director and finance director of Cattles following the company’s annual general meeting June 29.

Mr Felton-Smith is experienced finance director with more than 25 years of financial and management expertise in a variety of sectors, particularly in companies undergoing financial and operational restructuring. 

His most recent assignments have been as CFO of Lupus Capital and prior to that as CFO of Metronet Rail. 

He also acted as Finance Director for Yes Car Credit, the sub-prime motor finance company, during the run-off of its loan book in 2006/2007.

Earlier this week, Cattles said it was considering a possible offer which would leave shareholders in the company receiving just 1p for every pound they are owed and the beleagured business owned by a charitable trust.

LSL Property Services, the York-based estate agency and surveying group, has announced that Dean Fielding has decided to step down as group finance director to pursue other personal interests.

The board has appointed Steve Cooke to replace Mr Fielding from July 1.

Mr Cooke has extensive financial and commercial experience through a variety of senior Plc and private equity roles.

He joins from Bestinvest, the independent financial adviser backed by 3i, where he has been for the past two years as chief financial officer and latterly chief operations officer.

Prior to this, Mr Cooke has been chief financial officer of Mapeley Plc and Energis, where he was part of the successful turnaround team.

Chief executive Simon Embley said: “I extend to Dean both my thanks for all he has done and my best wishes for the future.

“I am delighted to welcome Steve to LSL. He brings vast knowledge and expertise from his profession and also his commercial experience. I have no doubt he will make a valuable contribution to the exciting growth plans at LSL.”